“This is Brutus. He’s what some smithies call a Steel Defender.” Fran would give Brutus a pat that sounded hallow. “I been dreamin’ ‘bout his schematics fer years. Haven’t been able teh sort out sum logistics an’ the right scrap bits ‘til recently. He can provide some additional support.” She’d nod confidently.

Not familiar with this part of town, or a ship, Fran would follow and take Ordrag’s lead while Brutus would weave around sniffing things as they went.

Choir pats Brutus nervously and offers him a leftover biscuit she had sneaked away from the mess hall.

Slightly taken aback by the metal creature, it takes Adray some time to adjust.  "At any rate, looks like a fine addition to the team and if ya can make it growl or bare its teeth, he may do great as a deterrent."

The night is not warm enough and too foggy for keeping tables under the stars, so, having nothing for entertainment but the dead seagulls and couple crows (they did not answer Choir's greetings) the party went to the next deck - the actual Tavern.

This is the busiest and noisiest part of the ship, and it reeks of sweat, cheap ale, rotting timbers, and old vomit. You could spot three bouncers, positioned themselves so they coul see everything that happens here. The tavern is lit by hanging oil lanterns and whatever natural light slips through the glass hatch and the ship's grimy portholes with rusty latches on the inside that hold them shut. About quarter of the deck is separated by the boards, forming the cabin with a door, decorated (for no better word) with a lock that has rusted to the point of being useless. The rest of the deck is full of tables (mostly occupied by quite colourful clientele) and the bar.

At the the short end of the a bar you see a middle-aged human woman with a living crab on her shoulder. Any guessing about the status of said woman were answered right away. She squinted at you, studying the newcomers and greeted with a short speech:

"Well met! My name is laraelra Thundreth, but folks around here call me the Captain. If you're thirsting for a beverage or looking to gamble, you've come to the right place, but watch your step. Things can get pretty messy around here."

Flanked by his friends, Adray will pull out three gold coins and smile and say, "I'll have a drink for myself and my friend to start."  He then leans closer and says, "and if I want to gamble, is there someone I could speak with regarding a line of credit."

Laraelra gave Adray a long look and pet her crab: "Just came and already need a loan for a game? Man, you must have spent years in a cloister. Mind you, we play here, for girls, or whatever you fancy you will go some place else, we don't do it." The bartender - grey feathered kenku joined conversation with meaningful "No tabs!" and returned to the spirits. "I would not land you money either. But there is someone here who would - providing, you have something of value or a proof, you could pay back. Those, who can not pay... Let's say, you better find the way. If you still up to it - go downstairs. You will find a man down there, Amirik his name. Talk to him.""

Choir is checking out the bartender when the captain's words startle her. Amrik already? Choir isn't ready! Ordrag is too good at his job. Also, she has no sentences to ask for what she wants, since trading in dice is not a thing that happened in the temple. At least, not that she ever witnessed.  She tries out a few randomly selected words."Dice. You sell? I want to buy. Need...Dice."

Kenku bartender obviously saw everything on this job. He tilted his head, looking at Choir with one eye, scratched his beak (a gesture probably as "borrowed" as voices he used) and with Laraela's voice declared: "New week - new dice! Order more sets. Every game - new!" and ended in some male's voice: "1 silver each, as usual".

Choir wonders if the Augury spell will work with such inexpensive dice...but it sounds like a fantastic bargain. She looks to see if there are any red sparkly ones. If not, she will settle for 7 dice of decent quality.

Bartender nodded to Choir, tilted his heat to the other side and suddenly practically sing  (though with a female voice): "What a beautiful bird! Want a cookie?" He ducked under the counter and returned with the set of deep red sparkly dice set: "Special! Veeeery special" commented he in an admiring male voice and stroke the dice lovingly. "Nice birdy!" stated he firmly, presented dice to Choir and hid the silver coin.   

Choir is very, very, very happy with her new dice. She gives out several nonverbal cries of happy children, and tells the bartender, "What a good boy you are!  What a good boy!" and "You're an ace, mate, I owes ya."

Alittle mortified Polly tug on Frans arm. “Could you please give me a hand up on the bar?” She sound a little annoyed as well. “Why don’t they ever place a few stools for the little people?” 

Adray passes out the drinks and says to the group in a lower lower voice.  "Let's scope the place out before we go below.  Also, always travel with at least one other nearby.  Oh and watch your pouches."

Fran would look down to Polly. Even she didn’t think about her being able to see above the bar. The artificer would offer the wizard the help she requested. “Aye, that’s a good question Polly.” She’d glance over to Brutus and give him another hallow pat. “If yeh wanted, I did consider the possibility that you could use Brutus here as a mighty steed.” She’d chuckle. 

Choir nods at Adray, but ignores the drink.  She's busy admiring her sparkly new dice.

Ordrag takes a swig of his drink and peers around the room at the clientele. He can pick the sailors by their lilting gait and unique vocabulary, and he can spot the off-duty Flaming Fist by their swagger and bravado. But some he can't place, and he looks warily to identify anyone that might be more than what they seem, or that might be watching them in return.

Perception: 14

Adray takes a drink and merrily moves over to Ordrag.  He gives a nod and says with a cheer, "Let's go find some fun."  Leaning I  a little closer he says, "You reckon we should find some some Fists here to watch our backs when we go below?"

Bartender sadly shook his head: "No tabs". Polly's troubles did not bother him (he likely did not hear her over the crowd's murmur). Laraelra, though, answered: "Go to the tables, win yourself a few rounds and your stool will be carried here for you," grinned she.

Actually, there were shorties among the patrons - right across the deck at the very active (at least judging by cursing) table was sitting an obvious duergar,  and at another (with the cards, not dice) you could spot a spectacles-wearing halfling. They were fairly decently accommodated sit-size-wise. 

Ordrag could tell that there are people of different occupations, for sure. But how would you tell a grain merchant from a straw merchant, for example? "Civilians" or landlubbers was probably the best description. Or what can you tell about a drow, except "what the hell are you doing on a surface"? Though, one of the patron could attract specifically Ordrag's attention - a vaguely familiar face. After thinking some more, Nibs recognized a drunken sailor from a merchant ship called the Golden Gull (at least that was his last ship, the guy spent more time in taverns, searching for the next job). Ordrag even recalled the name - Hitoshi Jade. Drunk, as usual.

The crowd was heavily occupied by all kind of different cards and dice games, new faces were interesting to a couple of dealers, but not every table had one, some run freely (probably money were coming from drinks and something else).

Choir looks up from her new sparklies as Adray and Ordrag start moving. She hopes it won't be necessary to trash the casino too badly.  She's hoping to come back sometime and flirt with the kenku bartender, and that would be awkward if they are banned from the place. Pocketing the dice, she looks at the gamblers, wondering about trying her luck.  Pulling out her coin purse might break the pretense of needing to borrow money, though, so she just watches...

Ordrag replies in his best whisper to Adray: Me don't think they'd be keen - seeing as they is off duty. But us can try me suppose.

Ordrag also decides Hitoshi probably isn't worth talking to, but will keep his eye on him just in case he is pretending to be drunk and actually spying.

Then he stands up and in a louder voice says to Adray: Right then, but me left my purse on the ship - can you spot me a few nibs?